Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition Manifesto Launch

'No choice' election for Britain's 7 million trade unionists

Tuesday 20 April

At the Scottish Trade Union Congress

12.30 pm

The Balgay Room

Constitution Road, Dundee

The Trade Unionist & Socialist Coalition (TUSC) is standing 42 candidates in the general election to offer an alternative to the cuts agenda of the three main parties.

New Labour has become a party of big business, leaving trade unionists disenfranchised. That is why our manifesto launch will take place at the Scottish TUC conference

The TUSC manifesto will stand in the interests of trade unionists, workers, pensioners and young people.

It policies will include opposition to all cuts in public services, standing against the privatisation of Royal Mail and for the bringing of the privatised utilities back into public ownership.

Repeal of the anti-trade union laws

It will call for the repeal of the anti-trade union laws. It will demand a living minimum wage, for pensions to be returned to pre-Thatcher values and for the abolition of tuition fees.

Bob Crow, general secretary of the RMT, explained why TUSC has been launched:

"Gordon Brown has supported the management in every industrial dispute since Labour came to power over a decade ago.

"What conclusion should workers and trade unionists draw? We've been disenfranchised! There is no party that puts forward a pro-union, pro-worker programme, all we get are cuts, privatisation and deregulation.

"The disgust and disillusionment that people feel for the sleaze-ridden main parties is leaving the door wide-open to the likes of the British National Party.

"Trade unionists have a duty to take a lead in organising a political alternative."